Today, 5 May, is a date that continues to resonate in Belfast. In 1981, after 66 days on hunger strike at Maze Prison (Long Kesh), Bobby Sands passed away, becoming one of the most recognised names in the Northern Ireland conflict. For those exploring the murals in the west of the city, his face is unmistakable. Yet, his story goes far beyond the image painted on a wall. Bobby Sands’ grave, Milltown Cemetery, Belfast Who Was Bobby Sands? Bobby Sands was a member of the Irish

Belfast is not only known for its shipyards and industrial history; it is also a city that tells stories on its walls. Belfast’s famous murals are not simply street art: they reflect the history, politics and identity of its communities. 📜 Origins of the Murals Before becoming street art, the murals emerged as a form of community expression during the 1960s and 70s, in the period known as The Troubles. Residents of Catholic/nationalist and Protestant/unionist neighbourhoods

For over three decades, Northern Ireland experienced one of the most complex conflicts in Western Europe: “The Troubles.” It began in the late 1960s and primarily involved two communities: Unionists or loyalists , mostly Protestant, who wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom. Nationalists or republicans , mostly Catholic, who aspired to a united and independent Ireland. But beyond politics, the conflict was felt in everyday life: streets divided by walls and barricades,